H. A. Gillett, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of H. A. Gillett
HON. H. A. GILLETT.
Among those whose names are inseparably connected with the prosperity of Valparaiso, Indiana, is he whose name forms the subject of this sketch. It is not to be expected, in a work of this kind, where but brief biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county are given, that justice can be given this much esteemed and honored citizen, and yet he has been identified with the county so long, and his name is so familiar to all, that it is only just to dwell upon his career not as empty words of praise but as the plain statement of a still plainer truth. Mr. Gillett, attorney-at-law and ex-circuit judge of Porter County, is a native of the State of Vermont, a State always suggestive of the honest, hard and rugged characters in life, and was born near Richmond, March 19, 1831. His parents, Asa and Lucia (Jones) Gillett, were natives also of the Green Mountain State, where the paternal grandfather of our subject settled in 1790, but this family came originally from Connecticut. The father of our subject followed the occupation of farming in which he amassed a competency. To his marriage were born five children, only one besides our subject now living: Henry. Until 1847 our subject remained on his father's farm in Vermont, but at that date he began attending school at Potsdam, New York, where he fitted himself for college, and where he laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career. Later he entered the University of Burlington, Vermont, and graduated from that institution in 1853. One year later he went to Buffalo, New York, and began the study of law, being admitted to the bar there in 1856. There he practiced until 1861, and then came to Valparaiso where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. As a leading citizen of the city in its professional, business and social life, lending eminent strength to her bar, tone to her finances, and grace to her society, Mr. Gillett demands attention from the historian who would wish to do the city justice. In 1868 he was elected judge of common pleas court covering six counties, and in 1872 he was re-elected to the same office. In the winter of the following year, the common pleas court was abolished, and he was appointed by Governor Hendricks circuit judge for Porter, Lake and Starke Counties. In the fall of -----, he was elected to the same office, and held that position for a full term of six years. After this he resumed the practice of law, and is still in active business. He is one of the well known lawyers of the State, a sincere, direct, positive man - a true citizen in the best and highest sense. He was married in 1857 to Miss Helen L. Still, of Buffalo, New York, and two children are the fruits of this union: Judge John H. and Mrs. Minnie Miller, of Valparaiso.
Source: Goodspeed Brothers. 1894. Pictorial and Biographical Record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Brothers. 569 p.
Page(s) in Source: 112-113
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook